India pulled off a historic victory in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, defeating defending champions Australia to enter the Girls’s ODI World Cup 2025 last. Chasing a frightening 339, India showcased composure, perception, and brilliance with the bat to clinch a five-wicket win in 48.3 overs the best profitable run chase in Girls’s ODI World Cup historical past. The star of the evening was Jemimah Rodrigues, who delivered one of many best innings in World Cup historical past an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls, holding India’s chase collectively from the second she arrived at No. 3. Her partnership of 167 runs with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (89) shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favor and deflated Australia’s hopes of one other last look.
Reflecting on her emotional journey, Jemimah Rodrigues, the Participant of the Match, stated:
“I wish to thank Jesus, couldn’t do that by myself. I wish to thank my mother, dad and coach and each single one that believed in me. It was actually arduous this final month, it looks like a dream and it nonetheless has not sunk in.
(On when she was instructed she would bat at three)
Did not know I used to be batting at three. Was having a shower, simply instructed them to let me know. 5 minutes earlier than getting into in, I used to be instructed I used to be batting at three.
Not about me, needed to win this match for India, and needed to take this by (having misplaced crunch matches earlier than). Right this moment was not about my fifty or my hundred, about making India win. Every little thing that occurred up to now was a setup for this. Final yr, I used to be dropped from this World Cup. I used to be in good type. However issues stored taking place back-to-back, and couldn’t management something.
I’ve cried virtually day-after-day by this tour. Not doing effectively mentally, going by nervousness. I knew I needed to present up, and God took care of every part. Initially, I used to be simply enjoying and I preserve speaking to myself.
In the direction of the top, I used to be simply quoting a scripture from the Bible – to simply stand nonetheless and that God will combat for me. I simply stood there and he fought for me. Quite a bit inside me was left, however was making an attempt to remain calm.
Seeing India win by 5 wickets, I couldn’t cease myself. When Harry got here, it was all a couple of good partnership. In the direction of the top, I used to be making an attempt to push myself however was not in a position to. Deepti spoke to me each ball and stored encouraging me.
Once I can not stick with it, my teammates can encourage me. Can’t take credit score for something, I didn’t do something (by myself),” She stated.
The Chase
India did face early stress within the chase, shedding Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana inside the primary ten overs. However Rodrigues’ calm presence mixed with Harmanpreet’s managed counterattack steadied the innings. Australia had been left to rue missed probabilities Alyssa Healy and Tahlia McGrath each shelled catches that proved pricey. Even after Harmanpreet fell to an excellent diving catch from Ashleigh Gardner, India stayed composed. Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and at last Amanjot Kaur supplied important ending touches. With eight wanted off twelve balls, Amanjot punched the successful boundary, sparking unrestrained celebrations because the Indian dugout erupted, Harmanpreet in tears and Jemimah overcome with emotion.
Australia, powered earlier by Phoebe Litchfield’s 119 and Ellyse Perry’s 77, had posted 338; however the whole was not sufficient on an evening that belonged to India.
India now faces South Africa within the last on Sunday, aiming to elevate their maiden Girls’s ODI World Cup trophy. Jemimah Rodrigues immediately grew to become the second batsman to register 100 in a WC knockout run-chase, after Nat-Sciver Brunt (148*) had completed that within the 2022 last.